The high peak in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State known as East Dix has been renamed “Grace Peak,” the Adirondack Forty-Sixers, Inc. announced today. The United States Board of Geographic Names (USBGN) officially approved the petition submitted by the Forty-Sixers to rename East Dix “Grace Peak,” in honor of Grace Leach Hudowalski, who promoted the Adirondack region for its recreational opportunities in both her professional career and personal life. The name designation was approved on June 12, 2014, at the monthly meeting of the USBGN.

In response to the approval Douglas Arnold, who has led the naming effort on behalf of the Forty-Sixers for the past twelve years said: “Everyone has a mentor – a coach, parent or grandparent, friend, or teacher – who influences the outcome of their life. These angels are remembered but rarely honored. Grace Hudowalski was a mentor to thousands of people as she shared her enthusiasm for the Adirondacks with everyone. The naming of Grace Peak is a tribute, not only to the lives she touched, but to all of those angels who make a positive impact on our lives.” Sally Hoy, President of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers added, “How fitting to honor a woman whose love of the Adirondacks has had far-reaching effects not only in eco-tourism but in promoting protection of this amazing resource.”

Grace Leach Hudowalski was born in Ticonderoga, NY, in 1906, and grew up in the surrounding foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. She was the ninth person and first woman to climb the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks that are over 4,000 feet in elevation, which she accomplished in 1937. She was a founding member and first president of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers hiking club. For more than 60 years, until she was well into her 90s, she served as the club’s historian, maintaining climbing records for hikers who were attempting to climb the 46 peaks and corresponding with each and every one of them. The correspondence between Grace and those climbing the 46 peaks is housed in the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections to preserve a unique and significant historical record of the High Peaks region.

Yes, it's been a long term lobbying effort to make this happen. One of my hiking buddies asked me if we would have to go back and re-climb it now that the name had changed I made a request to change the name of the SP mountain page but have not heard back from the owner.